Am I wrong in believing it’s called ‘gas and electricity’ and not ‘electric’?

[JackieWeaverHandforthCouncil]

There have been multiple threads discussing the cost of living crisis and every one states ‘gas and ELECTRIC’. I thought it would be ‘gas and ELECTRICITY’?

I genuinely am not being a grammar dick but I’m becoming confused as to whether I’ve been saying it incorrectly? Or is it one of those words where you can use either/or.

Gas and electricity

@Flavabobble

It's nothing like pram, telly etc. They are all abbreviations. Electric instead of electricity is, as I said, just ignorance. Along with "invite" for "invitation".

You don't think it's used as an abbreviation, when it literally IS an abbreviation? Really? 😆

“Electric” isn’t an abbreviation because we don’t pronounce the full word “electrickity” and “electric” already exists as an adjective.

It's electricity and oil here since there's no gas supply.

Yes it's electricity. 'Electric' annoys me almost as much as the horrific misuse of 'yourself' and 'myself'.

My Nan, bless her heart, still calls it the ‘electric light’ bill, so it may come from that.

But like PP says, we all know what we’re talking about.

It’s like referring to the water bill as the wet bill (ie- wrong).

'Gas and electric' is wrong, obviously. But it's so prevalent that I barely notice it any more.

I use language accurately and have ensured that my kids do, but unless sommeone in a very professional role can't speak or write properly when required to, I've learned to live and let live when it comes to anyone else.

@Popsicle33

Yes it's electricity. 'Electric' annoys me almost as much as the horrific misuse of 'yourself' and 'myself'.

What about the misuse of horrific'

@crackingreward

I think you could be right. I just logged on to my EDF account and it says electricity. I had no idea everyone o know says electric.

I can’t work out if this is satire. Are you saying you didn’t know the word ‘electricity’?

Electric is an adjective. It is incorrect as a noun but the usage is so absolutely rife that it’s not a battle really worth fighting.

Technically it's an electricity bill, supply, meter etc.

But you may have an electric heater, kettle, toaster.

Doesn't bother me really as I reserve my ire for people who misuse hoover and weight, grr.

It’s actually leccy [ducks]

Ha

I grew up saying leccy but normally now it’s
Just electric lol

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

See also 'invite' when people mean 'invitation'.

Yes,

I know people say that it doesn't matter but parts of speech (nouns, verbs etc) are part of language for a reason. It aids clarity.

I think it does matter.

@Sux2buthen it's not misuse, it's hyperbole! 😂

@BeforeGodAndAllTheFish

It's American. They say electric bill.

That's what they say on movies and tv shows so or course, that's what people in the UK start saying too.

No we don’t. It’s the utility bill or the power bill. I’ve never heard anyone hear say “electric bill”.

No, you are quite correct.
Sadly there are a lot of people, who want to race to the bottom these days.

I often say "i need to hoover up" never do I correctly ay that I need to vacuum. Electric is just a saying isn't it.

Don't go spending leccy money ont 'orses.. that's all you need to know.

We refer to it as 'wiry stuff' and 'smelly stuff'

Thought everyone did.

Yes! It irks me every time I read it. Pedantic I know, but I can't help it.

It's the electricity bill, or the power bill, in NZ - I've never heard anyone call it electric.

Years ago in Ireland we just had one provider which was the esb... who are now called electric Ireland but we still call it the esb bill in this house 🤣 confuses my English dp . I even know people who are with a different energy supplier who still call it the esb bill.

It's definitely the gas and leccy.

The bill is electric. The power source electricity

Actually, having typed that.

Things that run on electricity are electric. The meter is electric, but the bill doesn't run on electricity, so maybe not.

Electricity. Definitely.

An electric bill could potentially give you a nasty shock, especially if the paper’s wet.